# Open Cloud Mesh Enabling Seamless Collaboration > [! note]- > The content of this page is generated by audio/video transcription and text transformation from the content and links of this source. Source: [https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-5094-open-cloud-mesh/](https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-5094-open-cloud-mesh/) <video src="https://video.fosdem.org/2025/h1308/fosdem-2025-5094-open-cloud-mesh.av1.webm" controls></video> ## Summary & Highlights: Open Cloud Mesh is a protocol designed to facilitate collaboration across personal cloud servers like Nextcloud, ownCloud, SeaFile, and CERNBox. It functions as an authorization flow, similar to OAuth, allowing users to invite collaborators to documents or folders. The protocol is versatile and can be used in various scenarios, irrespective of the document type or mode of collaboration. Recently published as an Internet Draft, Open Cloud Mesh has undergone automated testing and discussions among implementers to enhance its features. **Overview of Open Cloud Mesh** Open Cloud Mesh is not a software project but a protocol that enables computers to establish initial contact and exchange user identifiers for collaboration. It is akin to a dating protocol for computers, facilitating the meeting of computers in a federated world. The protocol ensures secure communication by using domain names and HTTPS, and it emphasizes the importance of establishing trust between computers through user relationships. **Technical Details and Implementation** The protocol supports various flows, including 'share with' and public link creation, allowing users to share documents across different servers. It relies on trust established between users and their respective servers. The protocol is evolving to include request signatures and authorization code flows to enhance security. A test suite is available to ensure compatibility across different implementations, aiding vendors in maintaining interoperability. **Future Developments and Challenges** The protocol's development is funded by various projects, and efforts are underway to simplify its implementation. Challenges include ensuring security through short-lived tokens and maintaining compatibility across diverse server capabilities. The community is working towards integrating these features into all implementations to enhance Open Cloud Mesh's functionality. ## Importance for an eco-social transformation Open Cloud Mesh plays a crucial role in eco-social transformation by promoting decentralized and secure collaboration. It supports sustainable practices by reducing reliance on centralized cloud services, thus minimizing data silos and enhancing data sovereignty. For eco-social designers, the protocol offers tools for creating community-oriented platforms that prioritize user privacy and collaboration. Challenges include navigating technical complexities and ensuring widespread adoption across diverse platforms. Social and political hurdles involve advocating for open standards and fostering trust among users and developers. ## Links [Video recording subtitle file (VTT)](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/h1308/fosdem-2025-5094-open-cloud-mesh.av1.webm) [Video recording (AV1/WebM) - 79.9 MB](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/h1308/fosdem-2025-5094-open-cloud-mesh.av1.webm) [Video recording (MP4) - 552.9 MB](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/h1308/fosdem-2025-5094-open-cloud-mesh.av1.mp4)